chris01919

I'm looking to get a 2014 or 2015 GX but I'm not sure if I should get a base or luxury. Is the air suspension reliable? A friend of mine had a GX470 and they were constantly having trouble with that suspension.

Acrad

I will admit that going into buying the 460 I didn't research the 470 bag issues. In fact... not much shows up as problems with the 460 for suspension issues. The bags will need to be replaced at some point for sure but those alone are only about $200-$300. Not sure if Toyota learned some from the 470s and improved on system in the 460s but you really don't find many people reporting issues. This could also be the fact that it was standard on the 470s while it came standard on only '10-'13 Premium and '14+ Luxury models. So fewer instances of the suspension out there with the 460.

For what I do right now I'm am fine with having the AVS suspension and the rear air bags. It makes towing nicer. You can always add bags to a base suspension setup if you decide to tow later though. Lots of options and considerations.

I guess we will find out eventually if KDSS on all 460s stands up to time... this was a relatively rare option on the sport model 470s from what I can tell.

EDIT: Personally if I was searching for a Luxury I'd find one with the Driver Support Package. If you are going down that road anyway you might as well fill all the checkboxes.

DallasDave

iTrader: (1)

+1 We purchased the Luxury model (a 2015 CPO) a few months ago. I think it rides better than a similar Premium model. Plus the Luxury model give you power third row and a few other goodies. Like the post above, I haven't heard of any problems with the newest generation units.

Oldmanb777

From an operational perspective. Ours has the air suspension. And I have not dealt with a non-air GX. So that said,What will you do with the vehicle? I find the air suspension seems fine, until you tax it, or run it hard. But if you will use the car as a street car, or towing, or load it, but use it mainly on the street, then I think the air will be nice. If you plan to lift it, use it off road, run it on rough duty roads, then I think without air would be my choice.
One of my gripes, is..............The rear end bottoms out going over speed bumps, and the driveway curb etc, when it shouldn't. Its just so soft, it hits the bump stops easily. I doubt the spring version does that. My Neice has a 4 Runner, TRD and it doesn't bottom out like that.

chris01919

I'll be keeping it stock and just using it for regular driving, maybe a little towing. My biggest concern is the reliability with the air suspension.

RRrider

From what I have been reading, if you are focused on street driving, then the air suspension and luxury option is the way to go. But if you want to go off-roading (and the GX is the US branded version of the Land Cruiser Prada of off roading fame in australia), then the air suspension adds more vulnerability and complexity if you are considering aftermarket suspension mods.

Acrad

This is just my opinion and I know a breakdown could occur at an inopportune time but I would not sweat concern about the reliability.

• It can be converted at modest cost to a Base/Premium setup.
• Bags are probably the most likely failure... 3rd party parts and repair cost should be less than $500. They usually start slowly leaking first.
• Frankly... not really any catastrophic failure threads for the 460... more on the adjustable shocks needing replacement or leaking at higher mileage. (one could convert to static shocks and keep the airbags too)

I soft road a lot and like the option of comfort mode offroad

Just my .02.....

mbykow

I got a used Lux version becuase of the nicer leather seats and the better ride. I could tell the diference. It does have the power third row but doubt I'll ever use it

User21c

Yup - the semi-aniline leather in the Lux is nice... but we’ll have to see how it wears over time.

Greysmoke

We've bought our first Lexus - a certified '14. We chose our particular vehicle because it was the only one of four on the dealer's lot with the luxury package. We've had it for two weeks so I can't offer any insight into relative reliability, but we've got quite a few years of warranty ahead of us, so I'm not too worried about it. For the most part, it's just more comfortable than the base package - but the air suspension should come in handy during the PA winters.

blazers420

I just bought my 2017 GX Premium model about 2 months ago with the intention of lifting it. If you plan on doing a spring lift, why pay the extra $7000 for something you will remove anyways? From what I read, removing the stock air suspension is not that difficult. But It will eventually go out.

jjscsix

I don't know how it will hold up, but I'm very glad I got a luxury. It does make a difference in ride. Most of them also have ML stereo which was one of my deciding factors. It is sensational. I had ML in two GS350s. The first was good, the second one was very good. But the GX is in another league.

tecman

I put 22 inch wheels on my base model and it is rough riding. I do wish I had the air suspension as it is known to be a better street ride.

Booyah

Go for the LUX

Acrad

Or a Premium if you are looking at '10-'13 models.. for those that wander into this thread from afar the Premium=Luxury model for those model years